“. . . knew this was a possibility!” Joe shouted.

Mason said something I didn’t understand, followed by Joe’s low voice.

“What about Rose?” Mason’s voice boomed. “How can you be so short-sighted?”

Their voices were too low to understand. What were they talking about?

Soon after there was more shouting, this time from Joe. “I’m the chief deputy sheriff! Let me do my damned job!”

I tried to hear more, but their voices lowered again. My cell phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out, surprised to see it was Skeeter. “I told you to text me.” I moved farther down the hall, keeping my eye on Mason’s door.

“This is too important to leave to a text. Meet me in the hospital chapel.”

I shook my head, glancing around. “What? How do you know I’m at the hospital?”

“I know someone tried to kill Deveraux and that he’s at the hospital. It makes sense that you’d be here.”

“How did you know someone tried to kill him?”

“I make it my business to know everything in this county.”

“Or maybe you know because you were the one to do it. You admitted that he’s trying to bring you down. It makes sense that you would try to get rid of him,” I said hatefully.

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that,” he growled. “And I’m going to presume you want to find out who did. If I’m right, meet me in the chapel in fifteen minutes.” Then he hung up.

I stuffed my phone back in my pocket and tried to catch my breath. Did Skeeter really know who had tried to kill Mason? Could I trust him?

In the end, what choice did I have? If I even had the slightest chance of helping Mason, I’d do it.

Mason’s door opened a few minutes later. Joe’s face appeared, and he didn’t look happy. I wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or a bad one.

I walked into the room and glanced back and forth between the two men. Mason looked furious, and Joe wasn’t much happier.

“What’s goin’ on?” I asked.

Both men were quiet before Joe cleared his throat. “The pocket knife found in the office at your farm was covered in Skeeter Malcolm’s fingerprints. But Malcolm’s alibi checks out, and frankly, I can’t believe he’d be that sloppy. I’m not ruling him out, but it’s a bit too tidy.”

I was surprised by how relieved I felt.

“I’m sending someone to pick up Eric Davidson at the Burger Shack for questioning, but your vision leads me to believe he’s taking orders from someone else. Until we figure out who that is, we can only presume he will try again. Which is why I think it’s best if Mason stays in the hospital for another day or so.”

Mason released a grunt.

“They’re going to try again, Joe!” I fought to control my panic.

“I know. You’re sure you saw a motel room and not a hospital room, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then all the more reason to keep him here.” Joe shifted his weight. “We’ll say he’s being kept for observation after his accident. He can work in his hospital room—a controlled environment that most sane people wouldn’t try to breach. And if some insane person tries it, we’ll have an officer on guard.”

“Are you sure that’s enough?”

“Yes,” Joe said, sounding official. “And I think it would be best if you didn’t stay at the farm tonight. In case the person responsible for this doesn’t realize Mason’s not there.”

I spun around to look at Joe. “You really don’t have any idea who’s behind this?”

“I’ve got a couple of hunches, and I’ve put several of my best deputies on the case. We will find out who’s responsible and bring him or her to justice.”

“Rose,” Mason said. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

I nodded, my nerves still jittery from my phone call with Skeeter and seeing Mason sitting on the gurney. Suddenly, this was all too real. My anger was burning off, leaving fear in its wake.

Mason turned to Joe. “Since I’m stuck here, can you get a deputy to pick up some work for me? I can call my secretary and have her gather some files.” He rubbed his temple. “My laptop was in the bag in the car.”

“Your car was towed to the sheriff’s lot. But a deputy pulled your bag out and took it to the station. I’ll have him bring it to you.”

“Thanks.”

Joe shifted his weight. “I’m going to go out into the hall and start making arrangements. In the meantime, Mason, stay in this room until we can get another one set up for you.”

Mason gave him a grim smile. “I’ll be here.”

After Joe left the room, I rushed over to Mason, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I’m so scared.”

He leaned back and stared into my eyes. “I’ll be fine. The sheriff’s department isn’t the Henryetta Police Department. I’ll be protected, and they’ll find out who’s responsible.”

“Okay.”

“Joe’s right. You can’t stay at the farm. Muffy’s still with Mom. Why don’t you stay with her tonight? I’ll call and tell her what’s going on. Joe’s said he’ll make sure the Henryetta police do some drive-bys.”

“You and I both know that never does any good.”

“I know.” He looked worried.